Covid Hospitalizations Dip, But More Than Half Of States Have Almost No ICU Beds Open

A slight decline in Covid-19 cases nationwide has masked spikes in infections and hospitalizations that have hit mostly Southern states in recent weeks, filling their intensive care units to dangerously near full capacity.

Nationally, 80.1% of ICU beds are occupied, and 27.18% of all ICU beds are filled with Covid-19 patients, according to data from the Department of Health & Human Services.

In 29 states, at least 80% of ICU beds were taken, according to HHS data updated on Saturday—the same share as a week before but with the addition of Washington,...